This section
will keep you up to date with all the changes that are taking
place. Please let us know what you think, your feedback is always
appreciated, email info@equiworld.com
You should send press releases and news items to mailto:press@equiworld.com

All
Change At The Royal!Stoneleigh
Park, Warwickshire: Royal Show organisers have announced
changes across the Show's equine classes including
the introduction of the equestrian circuit's biggest
prize pot for its new supreme in-hand champion. The
action starts on Sunday, June 29.The
introduction of the Royal Show's new day, a Sunday,
means event organisers have had more flexibility this
year to re-organise classes.Changes include scheduling
of all ridden children's pony classes to take place
on the more convenient weekend day and the integration
of equine arena 2 into the showing programme, changing
the ring's previous role from being show jumping-only.

Competitors
and visitors will also notice the introduction of a number
of classes including a ridden Irish Draught and a new agricultural
heavy horse turnout class to compliment the already popular
singles turnouts.One
of the highlights of the show will be new championships
carrying substantial prize money. These include the mountain
& moorland, heavy horse, in-hand light horse and supreme
in-hand horse or pony championships - the latter, sponsored
by HorseHage, carrying a hefty top prize of £1000
- the season's biggest single prize on the in-hand showing
circuit.Horse
of the Year (HOYS) qualifiers for the ridden mountain and
moorland will also be taking place, and moving from the
Royal from HOYS, will be the SEIB/BEF young horse evaluation
series finals.Please click here for further details

10th May 2003

Horses
Injured in Tornado Receive First Aid; Other Necessities
NeededMarionville,
Missouri, May 9, 2003 In the wake of Sundays
tornado that destroyed homes, buildings and lives in the
Marionville, Missouri area, many horses have been left wounded
and without the necessities for survival. Several horses
were killed or had to be euthanized from injuries sustained
when one of the worst tornadoes in Missouri history ripped
through the state. The horses that survived faced injuries
and loss of shelter, food and water.Among
the hardest hit was Stokely Stables, outside of Battlefield,
Missouri. More than 30 horses were injured when the barns
were destroyed. This is the worst thing Ive
ever seen, said JoAnn Hood, owner of Home and Livestock
One Stop in Marionville. There is such a widespread
area of destruction. Fences are gone; feed is gone and people
need help. At the suggestion of a friend, Ms. Hood
began to contact manufacturers of horse supply products
to send first aid supplies, halters, lead ropes, water troughs,
buckets, etc.Aloe
Advantage was the first company to donate supplies for the
victims. Cases of their first aid products, the 3 Step Wound
Care System, were shipped to Marionville to be used
to treat the numerous cuts, scrapes and gashes caused by
flying debris. As horse owners ourselves we can only
imagine what it must be like to lose everything and have
your treasured horses injured, said Kerry Glakeler,
President of Aloe Advantage. We are not that far from
the devastation, so we wanted to do whatever we could to
help the horses and give a little comfort to the owners.Please click here for further
details

10th May 2003

PolyPads
announce sponsorship of talented young show jumperPI
Associates/PolyPads®, manufacturers of the UKs
best-known range of back and leg protection for horses,
has announced its sponsorship of one of Britains leading
junior show jumpers, Sophie Broome.Long-time
sponsor of event rider Mary King, PI Associates/PolyPads®
is also keen to provide practical support for equestrian
sports stars of tomorrow and Sophie presents the ideal
opportunity.Niece
of both David Broome and Liz Edgar, 15-year-old Sophie rode
successfully in the Junior European Championship Team last
year and is a very likely contender again this year with
her distinctive horse Spottie Dot Com Please click here for further
details

10th May 2003

British
Horse Society's Royal President to open Tweed Trail
in Scottish BordersPresident
of The British Horse Society, HRH The Princess Royal,
will visit the Scottish Borders on Monday 19 May to
officially open the first of the Tweed Trails across
the south of Scotland. Her Royal Highness' visit is
also part of the celebratory Borders Festival of the
Horse
(17-25 May) organised by members of the BHS (Borders)
Committee.

The
Princess Royal will attend lunch where she will meet, among
others, members of the BHS (Borders) Committee, representatives
of the Southern Upland Partnership* and the sponsors and
organisers of the Festival. Following the official opening
of the Trail the Princess Royal will travel on to Selkirk
where she will be introduced to dignitaries, meet some of
the local children on their ponies and see a display of
safety equipment for horses and riders which is being set
up in conjunction with Lothian & Borders Police.Please click here for further details

10th May 2003

Show
Jumping - Twomey Takes La Baule Grand PrixWITH
A MOUNTING degree of confidence, Irish riders at the
Nations Cup show in La Baule, France, continue to rack
up the major places in the events leading up to the
Nations Cup Superleague competition on Sunday.Tonight
(Friday) Ireland's Billy Twomey won the prestigious
La Baule Grand Prix, riding <Luidam>, while Robert
Splaine and <Coolcorron Cool Diamond> took Fourth.Irish
riders Twomey, Splaine and Cian O'Connor have all now
taken first places in the opening two days of La Baule,
together with a reassuring number of other Top Five
placings.Please click here for further
details

10th May 2003

PERA
NewsThe
Olympic ranking table to date has been provisionally
calculated, using CIC and CCI 3 and 4 star results
from 1 Jan 2003 up to and including last week's competition
at Badminton, and can be seen on the PERA website.
Details of how the ranking is calculated are also
available.

In
addition, the 2003 PERA World Rider Ranking has been calculated,
using these 3 and 4 star results, and has also been published
on peraworld.com.Both can be seen under the 'World Rider
Ranking' section.
Individual results tables for each competition showing the
points awarded for each ranking will be added to the website
in the next week. Please click here for further details

10th May 2003

Show
Jumping - Irish Continue To Impress At La Baule IRISH
RIDERS MAINTAINED a strong presence at the Nations Cup
event at La Baule, France today (Friday), with Robert
Splaine winning the Grand Prix pre-qualifier on <Coolcorron
Cool Diamond> this morning, and Billy Twomey on his
new horse <Luidam> taking fourth in the class.Later
in the day, Cian O'Connor once again impressed on <ABC
Land Liebe>, finishing third in the Speed Class with
only fractions of a second between him and the leaders.This
evening, Splaine and Twomey compete in the La Baule
Grand Prix.The
Nations Cup competition - first in the 2003 Superleague
- takes place on Sunday.Please click here for further
details

Federation
Equestre Internationale News FEI
Eventing World Cup NewsThe
eighth qualifier of the FEI Eventing World Cup will
take place on 10 and 11 May at the Chatsworth International
One Day Event (GBR).The
Eventing World Cup is organised as a three-star level
CIC (One Day Event) qualifiers and a three-star level
Final. It is the culmination of a long-held ambition
by the FEI to establish a series of linked CICs to
promote the Eventing discipline across the world.
As the International One Day format has been adopted
for both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games, the series has an added relevance.

The
response of both competitors and organisers has been enthusiastic.
Some 154 riders from 20 countries have taken part in the
qualifiers so far and 89 have earned points counting towards
the final standings. The event organisers have also been
firmly behind the project achieving an outstanding level
of prize money for Eventing. The
Final will be held in Pau (FRA) in from 23 to 26 October.
It will be contested by 45 of the world's top riders. Please click here for further details

9th May 2003

Belfast
Horse Show NewsSheridan
Promotions have confirmed that plans for the exciting
new Belfast International Horse Show are well under
way with the release this week of some of the biggest
names in World Show Jumping, which coincides with the
announcement that ticket sales for the event have been
impressive. Irish
European Champions, Jessica Kurten, Peter Charles, Kevin
Babington and Dermott Lennon (current World Show Jumping
Champion) have confirmed their wish to participate at
the event. While Cian OConnor, Conor Swail and
British riders Michael and John Whitaker, Robert Smith,
Di Lampard and Nick Skelton have also joined the prestigious
line up. The first of the European riders to confirm
attendance at the event is Switzerlands, Marcus
Fuchs, with others being released shortly.
In addition Mike Tucker, leading television commentator
and Nick Brooks-Ward, from the fabulous Olympia Horse
Show have been named as commentators for the Belfast
event with other officials released reading like a whos
who in the world of celebrity and equestrian sport.
Please click here for further
details

9th May 2003

The
20th Anniversary of NSBA
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of NSBA. With NSBA
having their very first Breeders Championship show this
year we thought that documenting our 20 year history
and sharing it at this inaugural event would be an excellent
way to initiate the birth of our new show, the Breeders
Championship .
We are gathering information to document NSBA's 20 year
history to be put into film as we produce a video archiving
the history of the Association.
If you have historical information, photographs or videos
from the past or precious memories you are willing to
share with us to document this event we would enjoy
knowing about them. To enjoy a walk down memory lane,
contact Kristina Hedrick at 5614 Boca Raton Blvd., Suite
#267, Fort Worth, TX 76112, (817) 457-9362 or e-mail
kristinahedrick@msn.comPlease click here for further
details

9th May 2003

NDSA
Equestrian Seeks European Horses to Lease or Borrow
for 2003 I.P.E.C. Dressage World Championships for Riders
With a Disability

Kingston,
RIMay 8, 2003The National Disability Sports
Alliance (NDSA) is seeking quality, competitive dressage
horses located in Europe for United States riders to lease
or borrow for the 2003 International Paralympic Equestrian
Committee (I.P.E.C.) Dressage World Championships in Moorseles,
Belgium, September 2-7.For
the first time in the history of the I.P.E.C., riders will
be competing on leased or borrowed horses rather than having
a draw for horses to be provided by the competition, as
was previously done at the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games
and all past World Championships.The
horses will be needed for the Championships from August
23  September 8. The U.S. National Team Coach and/or
riders will also travel to assess and train on the horses
during July or early August. The U.S. Team will pay all
reasonable lease, agent and associated costs for the use
of the horses and will provide for all travel/shipping and
care during their use by the Team.Additionally,
an incentive bonus will be paid for all horses that carry
a U.S. rider to an individual or team medal at the Championships.Please click here for further details

9th May 2003

Show
Jumping - Irish Pair In Top Five At La Baule Jump-OffIRISH
RIDERS kept up the pressure at La Baule, France, this
afternoon, following Cian O'Connor's win in this morning's
speed class.O'Connor
again put in a sterling performance in the big jump-off
class, the PRIX DIANE BARRIERE DESSEIGNE, leading the
field until French and Italian aces Michel Robert and
Bruno Chimirri shaved seconds off Irish Independent
Casper's time of 44.40.Billy
Twomey on his new mount <Luidam>, took fifth in
the same class, with another double clear and a time
of 44.89.The
Nations Cup competition - first in the 2003 Superleague
- takes place on Sunday. <<We're
up against some very stiff opposition here, >>
said 23 yr-old Kildare-born O'Connor after his jump-off
class this evening, <<but our confidence is building.
Nations Cup points on Sunday are essential to keep us
in this race.>> Please
click here for further details

9th May 2003

USET
To Host Gala Dinner Dance and Silent Auction Presented
by Glenmede at 13th Annual Bayer/USET Festival of
Champions, presented by State Line TackGladstone,
NJMay 8, 2003The United States Equestrian
Team (USET) will host a Gala Dinner Dance and Silent
Auction, presented by The Glenmede Trust Company,
N.A., during the 13th annual Bayer/USET Festival
of Champions, presented by State Line Tack, June
19-22 at the USETs Olympic Training Center
in Gladstone, New Jersey.

The
Gala Dinner Dance and Silent Auction will take place on
Saturday, June 21 at 7:00 pm under the tent at The Mansion
on Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, NJ. Proceeds from
the Black Tie/Red, White & Blue attire event are to
be used to help send our athletes to the Pan American Games
in the Dominican Republic in August.Ann
Romney, First Lady of Massachusetts and no stranger to equestrian
sports, is Honorary Gala Chairman. Romney, wife of Salt
Lake Organizing Committee President and Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney, is a dressage rider and helped arrange dressage
demonstrations during the Salt Lake City Olympic Games
opening weekend. Her horse Liberte will be competing
in the selection trials for the Pan American Games during
the Festival.The
Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, presented by State Line
Tack will showcase four equestrian disciplinesdressage,
show jumping, endurance, and reining. The nations
best riders will be vying for USET Championships as well
as the right to represent the U.S. in upcoming international
competition. Please click here for further
details

9th May 2003

Show
Jumping - First Blood To O'Connor At La BauleIRELAND'S
23 yr old Cian O'Connor made a firm statement of intent
at the Nations Cup show at la Baule, France, this morning
by taking the second class of the event with <ABC
Land Liebe> in a time of 54.83.With
the first of the Samsung Nations Cup Superleague competitions
looming on Sunday, the Irish need a boost to their confidence,
and O'Connor's performance on the eight yr old bay mare
so soon after the show started this morning should help
settle nerves for Sunday's battle against the seven
other top international teams involved.Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

Charles
Owen Design Update: Getting Ahead

Advances
in design and testing have enabled leading headwear manufacturer
Charles Owen to offer selected models from their range in
larger sizes.The
Charles Owen Hampton helmet and Showjumper xp are now available
in sizes 7 5/8, 7 3/4, 7 7/8 and 8. The Charles Owen Pro
helmet is currently awaiting certification from SEI to ASTM
F1163 in sizes 4 1/2, 5, 5 1/2, and 6 and will shortly become
available.Director
of Sales Marcus Yeomans is particularly delighted as he
has never been able to fit into a helmet from any Manufacturer.
The reason being that the length of his skull from front
to back defeated the previous existing shell shapes. Now
for the first time in his career he will be able to safely
participate in the joys of Equestrianism, and become one
of the new riding generation as sought after by the Jeep
National Riding Festival.Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

Eventings
only advanced coloured stallion stands at studUptons
Deli Circus, the only coloured, advanced eventing stallion
registered with British Eventing is now standing at stud.Registered
and graded as an elite stallion with the Coloured Horse
and Pony Society (CHAPS), 13-year-old, skewbald Circus has
already achieved an impressive performance record in eventing
and will be aimed at three star competitions this year.
His excellent temperament and attitude enable him to combine
stud duties and competition with ease. He and his rider
Rachael Thompson are based with Richard Carruthers, who
is chairman of the British Eventing Training Committee.Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

Ireland
Opens Nations Cup Campaign On Sunday At La Baule, FranceIRELANDS
FIRST show jumping squad to do battle in the 2003 Samsung
Nations Cup Superleague appear at La Baule, France,
on Sunday, May 11. They are: Peter
Charles, Cian OConnor, Robert Splaine, Billy TwomeyIreland
is one of only eight nations in the world to have qualified
for the Superleague, and one of the prime venues will
be the Dublin Horse Show on August 8, when the Aga Khan
Trophy takes its place in the Superleague calendar.
But this weekend, the first Irish team will be up against
the best riders and horses from France, Sweden, Germany,
the Netherlands, Britain, Italy, and Belgium in the
long-awaited opening round of 2003.Ireland
took the League title in the 2000/2001 Nations Cup season,
but this is the first time any team will have taken
part in the elite Superleague.Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

USA
Equestrian Announces 2003 Monarch International/USAE
National Junior Hunter ChampionshipsThe
3rd annual Monarch International/USAE National Junior
Hunter Championships East Coast will be held in Lexington,
KY August 11-12, managed by Hugh Kincannon. The 2nd
annual Monarch International/USAE National Junior
Hunter Championships West Coast will be held in Del
Mar, CA, July 22-23, managed by Stephanie Wheeler.

A
horse must win a Championship or Reserve Championship in
an A Rated Junior Hunter Division between July
2 and July 1. Sections held after July 1 will count toward
next year's competition. The horse must be registered with
the Federation at the time of the win for the Championship
or Reserve Championship to count. Horses that are champion
at the previous years competition may return without
qualifying. The owner of record of the horse must be a member
in good standing of the Federation, i.e.; horses must be
shown in accordance with Articles 812 and 816 in order to
be eligible to qualify. Please
click here for further details

8th May 2003

Kelsey
Huffman named USAE Reining Seat Medal Finals National
Champion at Del Mar NationalDel
Mar Fairgrounds - Kelsey Huffman of Norco, CA, and her
horse, Top Hickory, were among the biggest winners during
Western Week at the 58th Annual Del Mar National Horse
Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA.
Huffman won a treasure trove of awards at the Del Mar
National; taking home the 2003 National Championship
for the USA Equestrian Reining Seat Medal Finals presented
by EMO Agency, Inc, the "My Midnight Special"
trophy, Youngest Rider Trophy, and the Adrian Van Sinderen
trophy.

The
58th Annual Del Mar National Horse Show Western Week held
four American Quarter Horse Association Split/Combined Youth
State Qualifier shows, a Pacific Coast Horse Association
Open Show (open to all breeds), a National Reined Horse
Association Show (open to all breeds), the $500 Challenge
of the Breeds, the $500 Sliding Contest (open to all breeds),
and the 2003 USAE Reining Seat Medal Finals during four
days of competition.
"The Del Mar National is the most prestigious show
in the Southwest," said Larry Gimple, the horse show's
Western Technical Manager for the past five years. The horse
show's Western Week features perpetual and memorial trophies
engraved with the names of the great horses and riders of
the past who set the stage for today's champions, and serve
as reminders of the Del Mar National's legacy.Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

McFarlane
riding Ezrah, Wins $75,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del MarDel
Mar Fairgrounds - Undaunted by rain earlier in the day,
a near-sellout crowd filled the Del Mar Arena to watch
Ezrah, ridden by Duncan McFarlane, win the $75,000 HBO
Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by Budweiser, an American
Grand Prix Association event, at the 58th Annual Del
Mar National Horse Show.
Duncan McFarlane and Ezrah went double clear and were
the fastest in the jump-off against five finalists.
McFarlane's quick and handy time narrowly beat Nicole
Shahinian-Simpson, on El Campeon's Cirka Z, owned by
El Campeon Farms. Shahinian-Simpson was double clear
just .171 of a second behind McFarlane on Ezrah.

A
total of 28 horses and riders took on the challenge of the
16-fence Grand Prix of Del Mar course. Despite earlier rains
and wet ground conditions, course designer Peter Holmes
of Canada set a time allowed on the course of 83 seconds.
Three riders retired from the course without finishing;
while five finished the first round clean and moved on to
the jump-off course of eight fences with a time allowed
of 51 seconds.
Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and El Campeon's Cirka Z nailed
the first clean rounds in each go of the Grand Prix. She
had the only clean go in the first round until 20 horses
later, when Richard Spooner and Bradford, owned by Kenly
Farms, went clean with a time of 80.234. Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

Calvert
Wins $25,000 Del Mar National Open Equitation ChampionshipDel
Mar Fairgrounds - Cathleen Calvert of La Jolla, CA,
won the 2003 $25,000 Open Equitation Championship presented
by Monarch International's Show Circuit Magazine at
the Del Mar National Horse Show.
Introduced to the Del Mar National Horse Show in 1998,
the Equitation Championship is open to all riders, and
all breeds of horses. Juniors, amateurs, and professionals
compete over the same courses, through four rounds of
competition. This unique event presents the ultimate
test of equitation over fences for the rider; not just
on their own horse, but on a strange mount with only
two warm-up jumps before the championship round.

A
total of 36 entries began the Equitation Championship on
May 1. The first round of competition was a jumper course
with only the top 25 riders moving on to the second round.
The highest scoring eight riders from the second round competed
in the two remaining championship rounds. Please click here for further
details

8th May 2003

USOC
Concludes First Public Hearing On Equestrian NGB
ApplicationGladstone,
New Jersey and Lexington, KentuckyMay 7, 2003As
required under United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
Bylaws, the first of two public hearings regarding
the proposed new National Governing Body (NGB) for
the sport of equestrian was held on Saturday, May
3, 2003. Attending the meeting were Armand Leone,
Jr., U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) President; Bonnie
B. Jenkins, USET Executive Director; Kathy K. Meyer,
USA Equestrian Treasurer; Lori Rawls, USA Equestrian
Executive Director; and John Collins, Counsel.Please click here for
further details

8th May 2003

USOC
Concludes First Public Hearing On Equestrian NGB ApplicationGladstone,
New Jersey and Lexington, KentuckyMay 5, 2003As
required under United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
Bylaws, the first of two public hearings regarding
the proposed new National Governing Body (NGB) for
the sport of equestrian was held on Saturday, May
3, 2003. Attending the meeting were Armand Leone,
Jr., U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) President; Bonnie
B. Jenkins, USET Executive Director; Kathy K. Meyer,
USA Equestrian Treasurer; Lori Rawls, USA Equestrian
Executive Director; and John Collins, Counsel.Please click here
for further details

7th May 2003

Heading
Up The Selection Process: Charles Owen At Sansaw International

Charles
Owen & Company are delighted to announce their repeated
Sponsorship of the British Pony Eventing CCI Championships
at Sansaw International Horse Trials Friday 30th May - 1st
June 2003. The Pony Event is for riders aged 13 - 16 riding
ponies of 14.2hh and under and culminates in the selection
of the British Pony Three Day Event Team.During
the past six years Charles Owen have worked closely with
leading international riders. The Sponsorship of the Pony
Championships is a further initiative enabling them to invest
back into the future of the sport. The prospective international
stars of the future are frequently found in these ranks,
having progressed and learnt through the invaluable Pony
Club Organisation. One recent such rider is Tamsyn Hutchins
from Cornwall who has now successfully moved up into horses
and received crucial funding while also building a valuable
portfolio of sponsors.Of
the Sansaw Sponsorship Roy Burek M.D. commented "The
Pony Club does such an important job securing and encouraging
talented young up and coming riders in the early stages
of their careers. We are pleased to be able to support the
Pony Club through this sponsorship. It is refreshing to
be involved with the Junior ranks at such a significant
International level. We now support from the grass roots
level of equestrianism right through to the highest Senior
levels." Please click here for further
details

7th May 2003

Places
left for the WEBIT project final conference: Education and
Management in the Equine Industry through ITOn
Monday 12th May 2003, Equistudy, Warwickshire College's
distance learning unit, is holding the WEBIT Project Final
Conference at Moreton Hall on the college's Moreton Morrell
campus. The conference will examine the use of information
communication technology (ICT) in the equine business, with
particular emphasis on work-based training and equine management.The
£500,000 WEBIT (Warwickshire Equine Based Internet
Training) project, which is financed through the European
Social Fund, has established some excellent learning links
with local equine businesses. It is hoped to build on this
work through the new Equine CoVE (Centre of Vocational Excellence)
initiative that emphasises supporting education in the horse
industry. Warwickshire College received CoVE status in Equine
Studies at the start of 2003.The
WEBIT conference will provide an insight into IT solutions
by focusing on two areas of particular interest to equine
business: health and safety training and management of day-to-day
activities in riding schools. Please click here for further details

7th May 2003

British
Horse Society Welfare Horse, Pony and Dog Show - a day
out not to be missed!The
British Horse Society (BHS) will be holding a Horse,
Pony and Dog Show at the Society's National Rescue Centre
at Oxhill in Warwickshire on Saturday 31 May - a day
out not to be missed.

With
classes to suit all horses, ponies and dogs, ranging from
show jumping and showing to novelty classes - Best Thelwell
and Dog with the Waggiest Tail, for example - this show
will be a great day out for any horse or dog enthusiast.
Funds raised at the show will used entirely to support the
Society's welfare work in its constant battle to ensure
that horses and ponies are properly cared for.Please click here for further details

7th May 2003

USET
Announces Riders for 2003 Show Jumping Developing
Rider European TourGladstone,
NJMay 6, 2003 The United States Equestrian
Team (USET) has named five riders plus alternates
to participate on the 2003 USET Show Jumping Developing
Rider European Tour. Riders named to participate
are Candice King of Wellington, FL; Marley Goodman
of Palm Beach, FL; Misti Cassar of Thousand Oaks,
CA; John French of Redwood City, CA; and Laura Linback
of Mundelein, IL, plus alternates in the following
ranked order: Robin Sweely of Madison, VA; Nona
Garson of Lebanon, NJ; Callen Solem of Colts Neck,
NJ; Tricia O'Connor of Ocala, FL; Judy Garofalo
of Dover Plains, NY; Debbie Stephens of Glenmore,
PA; and Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookville, MD.

The
USET will provide funding to the five riders participating
in the tour, of which four are Developing Riders. They will
compete at three international show jumping competitions
in Europe:Please click here for further
details

7th May 2003

Kentucky
Derby Party benefits LSU School of Veterinary MedicineBATON
ROUGE - Guests at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine's
Fourth Annual Kentucky Derby Party enjoyed the "atmosphere"
of Churchill Downs as they gathered at the Country Club
of Louisiana to watch the heralded race on May 3.

While
Funny Cide took home the prize in the 129th "Run for
the Roses," Jessie Babineaux won the Ladies' Hat Competition
for her red, white and blue salute to the Derby. Rob Poston
and Jim Brugh were co-winners in the Men's Tie Contest,
each wearing the same tie that was a colorful tribute to
horse racing.
Proceeds from the party will benefit expansion of the Equine
Intensive Care Unit in the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital
and Clinics. The project will expand and update the current
two-stall facility to a 10-stall facility for better treatment
of critically ill and injured horses admitted to the veterinary
school's equine clinic.Please
click here for further details

7th May 2003

Supreme
Rock (ISH) Reigns Supreme at Badminton CCI**** 2003

Reigning
European Champion since 1999 at Luhmuhlen and Team and Individual
European Champion at Pau in 2001, aswell as Team Olympic
Silver Medallist at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and Team
Bronze at WEG 2002, Supreme Rock (ISH) has now also won
the premier Horse Trials event in the world for the second
year running.Placed
first after the dressage phase on Thursday, May 1st, Supreme
Rock (ISH), who was ranked fourth in the World Breeding
Rankings for 2001/2002, and rider Pippa Funnell (GBR) held
pole position through the Cross Country and Show Jumping
phases to retain their Badminton title.Irish
bred horses were out in force at Badminton this year with
seventeen of them finishing in the final forty four placings.
Five Irish Sport Horses, including winner Supreme Rock (ISH),
took the following positions in the final top twelve:Please click here for further details

6th May 2003

Federation
Equestre Internationale News5
May 2003

FEI
GANDINI WORLD JUMPING RIDERS RANKINGS
The leader of the FEI Gandini World Jumping Riders Rankings,
Ludger Beerbaum of Germany keeps his position of leader,
with 3577 points ahead of the Swiss Markus Fuchs (2952 pts)
and Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa (2486 pts). Beerbaum will drop
a record number of 675 pts at the end of the month, reducing
the gap to his runner-up Fuchs, who will however also drop
a fair amount of points (325).
FEI BCM WORLD DRESSAGE RIDERS RANKINGS
Ulla Salzgeber (GER) leads the FEI BCM World Dressage Riders
Rankings with a score of 80.475 points. She is followed
by Nadine Capellmann (GER) and Lisa Wilcox (USA). Debbie
McDonald (USA) drops one place and is now 5th, behind Beatrizz
Ferrer-Salat who is now 4th.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - COMING YOUR WAY VERY SOON!
The all-important draw for the Nations Cup competition will
take place during the official launch of the Samsung Super
League series at 20.45 on Friday May 9th in La Baule.
FEI DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP
The Executive Board, in its March meeting in Zurich, approved
the creation of a Development Working Group in the framework
of the FEI Strategic Planning Committee. The Working Group
will consider the future role and direction for the Development
Department within the global FEI strategy. Its goals are:
1) Establish a regional coaching structure; 2) Review development
programmes for NFs; 3) Establish progressive regional competitions
and championships. This should enable the FEI to develop
the fantastic potential of its small NFs which represent
the basis and future of the Equestrian Sport.
THE HORSE IN OUTSIDER ART
On May 5, 2003 an exhibition on "the horse in Outsider
Art" opened in the museum im Lagerhaus St. Gallen,
Switzerland. The exhibition comprises of approximately 150
works: paintings, drawings and sculptures from 60 outsider
artists all with the theme of the horse.
The exhibition in the Lagerhaus, a museum which concentrates
on naïve and Outsider Art coincides with the CSIO St.
Gallen (29 May to 1 June) and is open until 6 July 2003.
IN MEMORIAM
Jozsef (Joe) Turi died on 29 April 2003, one week after
an accident when riding a motorcycle. He was 47 years old.
Joe Turi was born in Hungary and came to England as a young
boy and stayed. In the mid eighties, he became a member
of the British Jumping Team, competing for his adopted country
in the 1988 Olympic Games where he finished 14th.Please
click here for further details

6th May 2003

Controversial
Scientific Evidence on Animal Feelings to be Presented at
London ConferenceNew
evidence for how animals use body language and psychic awarenessCompassion
in World Farming (CIWF) Trust is hosting a controversial
scientific conference in London this Saturday 10 May on
the subject of animal awareness, emotions and intentions.The
conference, Understanding Animals, is designed to provoke
debate into how much animals' feelings and emotional states
should be considered in today's culture.Including
academic speakers from Oxford, Bristol, Lancaster, London
and Edinburgh Universities, and the Scottish Agricultural
College, the conference will explore animals' inner feelings
and motivations and raise questions about society's treatment
of animals.Featuring
among the speakers will be Dr Francoise Wemelsfelder (Scottish
Agricultural College) who will discuss animal body language
and will be exploring the psycho-physical nature of animals,
and Dr Rupert Sheldrake who will be exploring the scientific
evidence for the unexplained perceptive powers of animals.Please click here for further details

6th May 2003

Laurin
Tops $5000 JR/AO Prix For Third Consecutive Year
AUGUSTA, NJMay 4, 2003 On the last day of the
Garden State Horse Show held April 30  May 4 at the
Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, twenty junior
and amateur-owner jumper riders attempted an impressive
course built by Anthony DAmbrosio in the $5000 Garden
State Junior/A-O Prix, a member event of the Show Jumping
Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. And for the third consecutive
year the big grey Belgian-bred mare named Laurin topped
the class. Ridden this year by owner Leigh Healy of Mount
Holly, NJ, the pair was the last to go in the four-horse
jumpoff and stopped the clock clean in a blistering 36.805
seconds.I
put a lot of faith in Laurin. She never lets you down,
said Healy who just moved up into the high junior jumper
division this past March. Healy also rides a ten-year-old
Dutch gelding named Liverpool in the low juniors. That pair
picked up a blue in the $2500 Garden State Junior/A-O Prix.
The field of 32 was narrowed as seven horse-and-rider combinations
qualified for the second round. Healy and Liverpool were
the first to go and set the pace with a clear round in 36.077
seconds. No one could beat their clean go and the win propelled
them to the low junior jumper championship.The
main ring also featured the $2500 Marshall & Sterling
Adult Jumper League class as well as the $1500 Marshall
& Sterling Childrens Jumper league event. Both
classes are North American League (NAL) events. Please click here for further
details

5th May 2003

The
Gotland Pony
In Sweden, on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea,
lives a herd of semi-wild horses, the Gotland Pony or
'Russ', as they are called locally. The breed has lived
in isolation and has kept its moderate size and attractive,
relatively primitive look since the Stone-Age.
These versatile ponies reap great success in the show
ring as well as in three-day eventing, show-jumping,
dressage, driving, and harness racing. (No other horse
of comparable size can out-trot a Russ!)

A
12 year old Gotland mare, Snaeckan, holds the world record
for harness racers category B (ponies up to 130 cm). The
Russ is a great companion, for young and old alike. Because
of its longevity, versatility and friendly disposition,
a Gotland pony is sure to become a family favorite. They
are curious, brave, people-oriented, even-tempered, and
quick to learnPlease
click here to continue

5th May 2003

Donegan
10th At Badminton - Career Personal BestIreland's
Patricia Donegan today (Sunday) riding the 11 yr old
Irish-bred <Don't Step Back> in the combination's
first ever attempt at the world-famous Badminton Three
Day Event, finished 10th of the 80 riders who started
the competition on Thursday.Ireland's
only other entrant, Edmond Gibney, on King's Highway,
finished 19th overall, but was awarded the Glentrool
Trophy, which is won by the rider with the most improved
performance between the Dressage Test and the final
score.However,
the Irish glory today went to the 29 yr old Donegan
from Bandon in Co. Cork, who has competed for Ireland
at the 2000 Sydney Olympics (Team 5th), the European
Championships at Pau in 2001, and the World Equestrian
Games at Jerez in 2002, but who has never before tackled
the daunting Badminton event. This was a career personal
best for her as an individual rider, at this level.

Kappler
Jumps To The Top In The $50,000 Garden State Grand PrixAUGUSTA,
NJMay 2, 2003  Chris Kappler of Flemington,
NJ, added another grand prix win to his impressive resume
as he galloped Profox across the timers in 32.043 seconds
in the $50,000 Garden State Grand Prix held on Saturday,
May 3, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ.
The
Garden State Horse show takes place from April 30- May 4
and is the largest horse show in New Jersey. There were
a record 1151 entries who competed in the five-day hunter/jumper
show. Profox
was one of ten horses to jump clean over the Anthony DAmbrosio-
designed course. Kappler also piloted two others in the
second round  Rafiki and Korina.The
battle for the blue came down to Kappler and McLain Ward
of Brewster, NY. Ward rode two in the jump off, but it was
Galant who put the heat on Kappler as he posted a 32.523
on the board and jumped into the lead just moments before
Kappler returned as the last to go. The
kids lethal, said Kappler referring to Wards
speed and accuracy. Kappler knew he needed to cut time and
ride a faster track than he did on Korina. Sitting in the
second and third position he had nothing to lose.Please click here for further
details

5th May 2003

Wisconsin
State Horse Council Equine Foundation To Host Fall Harvest
Fundraiser & Dinner
Large Item Raffle, Live Auction, Silent Auction To Include
Stallion Service Auction & Tack Sale
Two Day Event!! Don't Miss It!!
We will host a Fall Harvest Dinner and Fundraiser on Saturday,
October 4, 2003. We will also have a Tack Sale and Stallion
Service Auction on Sunday, October 5, 2003. This combined
huge event will be held at the Columbus Firemen's Park Pavilion
in Columbus, Wisconsin. All proceeds will benefit the new
Wisconsin Horse Park facility.
Barbeque Chicken and Ribs Dinner will be served from 4:30
p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the lower level of the pavilion. Ticket
prices for dinner will be $20 for adults, $10 for children
6-12, and children 5 & under are FREE! Tickets must
be purchased prior to September 15, 2003. They are available
at the Wisconsin State Horse Council office, at various
functions around the state and from Horse Council members.
Use the contact number below to find your closest location
for tickets. Don't wait as they will go quickly and we don't
want anyone left out!!
After dinner the fun really begins with the many items up
for grabs at the live auction which begins at 8:00 p.m.
in the upper level. There will be many silent auctions running
throughout the evening too. We will have games for kids,
music, and more entertainment. We are gathering items now;
gift certificates, gift items, horse tack and general items
as well are appreciated, so contact Marlene below if you
have something you wish to donate to this great cause. In
addition to this, we will be drawing our major raffle prizes
on Sunday. These include Featherlite 3 horse slant load
new trailer, an easy entry jog cart, 40' round pen, Millcreek
Manure spreader, Circle Y Saddle, Congress Leather Show
Halter & Lead, and a Kathy's Show headstall. Super $15,000
Raffle!!Please click here for further details

5th May 2003

Swail
Takes Third In Modena Grand PrixIreland's
Conor Swail topped off an impressive outing at the three-star
Modena event this weekend (May 1-3) with a Third Place
in the Grand Prix tonight (Saturday).With
one win, two Thirds and an Eighth already to his credit,
the Malahide-based rider brought out his 2002 Zuidlaren
winner, Windgates King Koal, for the final competition
of the evening, and the 15 yr old Edward Cawley-owned
gelding, in his first 2003 outing, knocked just one
fence to bring Swail into Third.After
the Grand Prix, Swail said: < I was delighted to
have had such a good weekend on such good horses. My
short-term aim now is to be selected to jump for Ireland
in Rome later this month.>Please click here for further
details

Belfast
Horse Show gallops towards November Sheridan
Promotions have confirmed that plans for the exciting
new Belfast International Horse Show are well under
way with the release this week of some of the biggest
names in World Show Jumping, which coincides with the
announcement that ticket sales for the event have been
impressive.
Irish European Champions, Jessica Kurten, Peter Charles,
Kevin Babington and Dermott Lennon (current World Show
Jumping Champion) have confirmed their wish to participate
at the event. While Cian OConnor, Conor Swail
and British riders Michael and John Whitaker, Robert
Smith, Di Lampard and Nick Skelton have also joined
the prestigious line up. The first of the European riders
to confirm attendance at the event is Switzerlands,
Marcus Fuchs, with others being released shortly.

In
addition Mike Tucker, leading television commentator and
Nick Brooks-Ward, from the fabulous Olympia Horse Show have
been named as commentators for the Belfast event with other
officials released reading like a whos who in the
world of celebrity and equestrian sport.Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

Photo
by Roy Parker

Cleveland
Bay Showcase Proves Huge SuccessTHIS
year's prestigious Cleveland Bay Horse Society King
George V Cup was a huge success.
The annual competition to find the Champion Cleveland
Bay Premium Stallion was held at York Livestock Centre
with nine of the 11 eligible stallions forward.
Between them they represented most of the valuable bloodlines
within the breed as well as the wide geographical spread
that the breed has in the UK.
This year's judge Roy Raikes-May travelled from Gwent
to take on the task. His stallion, Laughton Saladin
was the retiring champion.Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

Pik
L Gives Dr. Cesar Parra and owner Anne Whitten Early Birthday
PresentsPort
Jervis, NY, May 2, 2003Horses Unlimiteds imported
Hanoverian stallion Pik L couldnt have given better
early birthday presents to owner Anne Whitten and rider
Dr. Cesar Parra. The bay stallion continued his winning
streak at the Port Jervis, NY CDI***, April 25-27, claiming
blue ribbons in all three FEI classes in which he was entered,
including receiving a 71.25% in Intermediaire I. The duo
also earned the FEI High Score Award and the Diamond Stud
Award (sponsored by Diamond Legacy Breeding) for High Scoring
CDI*** Senior Rider.Im
elated, said Ms. Whitten. My birthday is Monday
and these wins are great presents for both me and Cesar,
whose birthday is Thursday. Pik L was imported as
both a breeding stallion and international competition horse.
The Germans are a little sorry they let him go,
said Ms. Whitten of the Pik Bube II son. I receive
calls from German breeders wanting to breed their mares
to him.Please click here for further details

4th May 2003

Richard
Spooner Wins 1st and 2nd Place in Lexus $25,000 Surfside
Grand Prix DEL
MAR Fairgrounds - Riding two different mounts, Richard Spooner
took first and second place in last night's Lexus $25,000
Surfside Grand Prix at the 58th Annual Del Mar National
Horse Show.
With 61 competitors, the Surfside Grand Prix was the largest
field of Grand Prix riders this year in California and the
most competitive class on the Pacific Coast Circuit.
The $25,000 Lexus Grand Prix is a qualifying event designed
to eliminate all but the top 30 contenders who will go on
to compete in the Del Mar National Horse Show's premier
event, the $75,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar presented by
Budweiser, an AGA event on Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m., in
Del Mar Arena.
During the Surfside Grand Prix, 13 of the 61 riders had
clean rounds.
Duncan Mcfarlane on Ezrah made the first clean round going
8th in the order, but held the lead for only a few minutes
until Spooner and Robinson blistered the course. Spooner
rode a brilliant pace on Robinson for a time of 65.080,
and almost duplicated it with a great round on Bradford
for a finish of 66.702. The ride on Bradford as the 47th
entry moved them into second place. Spooner held 1st and
2nd to the end of the 61 entries.Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

Feller
Tops $500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Class and
Earns Grand ChampionshipAUGUSTA,
NJMay 2, 2003 Melissa Feller, 19, of Mendham,
NJ, topped the two-round $500 Marshall & Sterling adult
hunter class riding Tammy Craig-Smiths horse Rumors
Fly on the third day of the Garden State Horse Show. Garden
State is held April 30  May 4 at the Sussex County
Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ.
In addition to picking up the blue ribbon in the Marshall
& Sterling class, she also collected the younger adult
amateur championship as well as the grand champion ribbon
in the adult division.
Winning a Marshall & Sterling class is nothing new for
Feller who finished first last year at Garden State in the
Marshall & Sterling Childrens Hunter class aboard
her own horse Imported. The pair also took home the Marshall
& Sterling Childrens Hunter Championship held
at the Capital Challenge Horse Show last October. Moving
into the adult amateur division has clearly been a smooth
transition for Feller. The young adult also piloted her
own horse Imported to the second place in the adult amateur
Marshall & Sterling class and picked up three thirds,
a second, and a fourth place to take the reserve championship
for the division. Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

Registration
Commission Committed to Customer ServiceThe
Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Registration Commission
met in March in Denver, Colorado, to discuss streamlining
processes and reinforce a commitment to quality, integrity,
customer service and response time.Although
several members of the Commission met during the Scottsdale
show to get acquainted, this was the first official meeting
of the entire group. Commission members tackled a variety
of issues and developed several policies that will enhance
the affordability of doing registration business with AHA.
For instance, they consolidated seven existing transfer
fees down to four and set one, three and five-year goals.
Please click here for further details

4th May 2003

Circle
Y of Yoakum becomes active in APHA activities

FORT
WORTH, Texas-The American Paint Horse Association (APHA)
recently welcomed Circle Y Saddles of Yoakum, a top-of-the-line
saddle maker, as an official corporate partner.
Circle Y of Yoakum was a sponsor of APHA's 2002 World Championship
Paint Horse Show, in which the company awarded saddles to
winners in several of the event's categories. Now, Circle
Y of Yoakum has increased its sponsorship to support the
Association even more.
"All of APHA's focus and actions are geared toward
expanding the Association and highlighting the American
Paint Horse," said Lynn Paris, senior vice president
of sales and marketing for Circle Y of Yoakum. "At
Circle Y, we like to see that APHA is an ever-growing association
involved in promoting a variety of disciplines. That promotion
is reflective of our business because we make saddles for
all disciplines."Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

Kerrygold
League - Thomastown Grand Prix CancelledDue
to adverse weather conditions, the Leinster Region Thomastown
Show has been cancelled. The event was due to take place
today (Saturday) and tomorrow.As
a result, the scheduled Michael Duxie Walsh Grand Prix
will not now take place on Sunday, May 4, as part of
the Kerrygold Grand Prix League.However,
the Leinster Region Necarne Qualifier is still due to
take place at Thomastown on Sunday, May 18.Please click here for further
details

4th May 2003

AHA
Strategic Plan Underway
The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has hired Management
Advisors, Inc., Greenwood Village, Colo., to assist with
the development of a strategic plan and governance study
for the new AHA. The consulting group was hired as part
of the Merger Agreement that created AHA by combining the
Arabian Horse Registry of America, Inc. and the International
Arabian Horse Association.Article
VII of the Merger Agreement states that AHA "shall
retain one or more firms to conduct an independent governance
study and develop a strategic plan in order to determine
the best governance structure for Arabian Horse Association.""This
is extremely significant and will have a far-reaching and
positive impact on the Arabian horse industry," says
AHA President Bill Hughes. "We hope that all members
can be as forthcoming as possible with whatever questions
are asked," says AHA Vice President Bob Fauls. "We
need this information to become more effective at representing
the needs of our customers." Please click here for further details

4th May 2003

Swail
Takes First Of Modena's Saturday ClassesIreland's
Conor Swail improved on yesterday's (Friday) two Third
Places at Modena, Italy, by winning the first class
of the day, the Anni Tempo, on <Windgates Sensation>
today, Saturday.Mayo's
Cameron Hanley, on <Olga> took Eighth Place in
the same competition.Please click here for further
details